We get so busy or focused on what we got to get done, that we fail to connect with others, and pass right by them. It is healthy and can be helpful to pause and take a moment to talk to someone. And just importantly, take time to listen to them.
There were so many conversations I wanted to have and questions to ask people during our five day party event, that I regret those conversations never occurred. It just wasn't possible to do because there simply wasn’t enough time to see and really connect with each of my family members and friends. I wonder if I should have been more intentional and stopped what I was doing to chat with each person.
Tuesday 8/19 - The past five days had been a blast. It had left me exhausted, but filled with so many great memories, and thankful for such great family and friends and God's blessing on all of us. The last of our guests (Britney and Juan Carlos), left with Joe to Nashville at 6am. As they backed out of the drive and disappeared down the road, the impact of their visit and the whole weekend washed over me. My once quiet house had returned to peace and quiet. But after all the commotion, fun, and festivities; the silence was deafening.
I got to work on my Blog about the five day wedding reception/party event, started laundry, cleaned in the kitchen, and communicated about ranch business. I was also trying to figure out what to do with all the extra (leftover) food.
I think all the cats, especially Shadow (the outdoor stray) were glad to have things quiet again, and much less traffic in and out of the house.
Mid-afternoon (after many hours of blogging) I joined Patty out at the ranch to start cleaning food from the fridge, and washing sheets and towels while she vacuumed and cleaned bathrooms.
Because we need to give the side pasture a rest, I planned to move Amiga and Zorro onto the front pasture with 24/7 access and put Rico with them. Cowboy, Dorado, and Banner would then have access to the back pasture 24/7. So when Patty went down to feed the four boys, she changed the gates so the lower paddock opened into the back pasture.
After Rico finished eating his dinner, in his stall, I led him through the corral into the front pasture to add him back with A&Z. He could not see them because they were still up in the shade of their shed, so he ran around crazy, trying to get back to Cowboy, Banner and Dorado, who were still down in their shed.
It was so hot and Rico had gotten so worked up that I went to get him to lead him to the upper paddock. At this point, he threw a few bucks and race right past me and finally joined up with Amiga and Zorro.
Because he was very hot and a sweaty mess, Patty helped me cool him down, trying to gently poor water over him. But he would not hold still. So I kind of threw water on him, which also hit Amiga, and the three went running out to the front pasture. Ugh... I need to slow down with these Pasos. I called it a day and hoped Rico would be okay and would settle in with A&Z.
Wednesday 8/20 - I was up early blogging, then off to the ranch to do chores. Juan Carlos had sent this photo of Britney heading off to work, so I returned with the next photo, of me at 'work', feeding horses. 
Betty and I went for a ride. Rico had been very pushy on the ground, not respecting my space or really even paying attention to me. He was still fairly unsure of himself (wanting his herd). Once back I thought he would be better, having been on the trail with Dorado for two hours, but he was still very fidgety, tied in the barn for un-tacking.
Once put in the front pasture, rather than going to join Amiga and Zorro, he went to the lower gate, wanting to go back with the three boys.
Joe had bought 50 bales of hay and made two trips to haul it all to the ranch to store in the shop.
I made the ranch guest bed and did a little more ranch house cleaning and organizing.
Below, a photo Britney sent, showing the flags from our center pieces that she had taken home. 
Notice her view of the farm out their kitchen window that is at the backside of their apartment. You can see the mountainside above.
We got word that the car with Tracy, Teresa, and Mary had made it safely back this evening. They were the last of our guests to arrive home. I am so thankful that everyone's experience (concerning the five day party event) went safely. As far as I know, the only bad thing that happened to any of us during the five days of travel and play, was when I scraped Patrick’s car with mine. I was quite bummed about it, off and on, all weekend.
Thursday 8/21 - I was up and blogging by 4am. Britney had also sent this photo of her mementos/keepsakes she'd had stored in the bunk room and took with them, along with some new ones from the wedding party. 
At 5:30am, Maggie alerted the whole household to a jeep turning around in our driveway and parking out front. Her barking sent the cats flying off my desk and vicinity. Are you kidding me, is this the estate sale people already? Yep, they were lining up on Allen's driveway. This photo was taken later.
The farrier came at 8:30, but I went last in the line-up, to give me a little more blogging time. Amiga's thrush is gone and all the Paso's hooves looked good. And the three of them stood nicely for the whole trim (and new shoes for Rico) process.
I settled in to more blogging after getting back from the ranch and having lunch. Before long I got too sleepy, so took a nap on the couch. The cats always settle in to my space when I lay down.
I had evening feeding chores and then did finished a few more tasks at the ranch house like replenishing soft soap and TP. Next I carried out a search for some clothing that had gotten left behind. Found them in a drawer. But also found Ava's soccer ball.
Britney and Juan Carlos sent these photos. Their own little bonfire outside her tiny house that they are trying to sell.
They have cleaned out the house and cleared the property around it, which is some of what they were burning here.
Friday 8/22 - I went later than usual to feed and do chores. The next door estate sale was well underway again, with cars parked all along our street.
From the ranch, I went to town, to my oncologist, for a tumor marker and iron count blood draw. I will need to wait 0n the results. I had a great chat with Dr. Davidson. He is so easy going, friendly, and down to earth.
I made a very quick stop at Tractor Supply and Walmart before heading home.
After a late lunch, I tried to blog, but only lasted about 15 minutes, then took a nap.
I washed out coolers to return to people and let them dry in the sun.
I met Betty at 5pm for a ride after the horses ate their dinner. Rico was a handful, being anxious and pushy. He does not do well with change (now being back with his former Paso herd).
Once out on the trail, Rico did great. He definitely has more training under saddle than on the ground. 
We had stopped here in the woods to look out over the back pasture where Rico saw Banner. Notice Jem's field in the background... After he bush hogged it with our tractor, he then mowed it twice with his riding mower. Hope he didn't kill the grass, cutting it that short with mulched dried grass clippings over the top of it.
Betty and I got rained on a little just before getting back to the barn. It had thundered a few times while we were out on the trail. We timed it almost perfectly cause it poured for ten minutes just after we got back to the barn. I was so glad to see Rico calmly join back up with A&Z when I turned him back out into the front pasture (video).
After closing the chicken coop at close to 7pm, I got a few photos of the mountains and sunset. 
It was a pretty ending to a pretty day. It has been so nice to finally have cooler temperatures.
Saturday 8/23 - With the cooler days, we have also had cooler nights. I needed a long sleeve shirt and a blanket over my legs while I sat here blogging before sunrise. Britney sent a photo of one of her guinea pigs who likes to 'tuck' herself in this way. I was ready to do the same thing.
Today was my first day back at work since August 10th.
I came home at 2:30 and took a 2½ hour nap. I guess I was still having troubles recovering from the five days of company/parties/etc. I'm am also still eating a lot of left-overs that have not yet gone bad, but I'm getting quite tired of them. The 'Happily Ever After' blog, with hundreds of photos, was taking me forever.
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